Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (21 March 2020): PNG, Samoa, Vanuatu

What ails Australian aid to the Pacific? Two Pacific expert views.  There are issues around corruption and wastage but if the Pacific people were to have a greater say in programming and the aid we receive, we can then be held entirely responsible for it.”

https://devpolicy.org/what-ails-australian-aid-to-the-pacific-two-pacific-expert-views-20200320/

 

PNG:

Avoiding the wrong lessons on aid and corruption. Corruption is not a new argument against development assistance.

https://devpolicy.org/avoiding-the-wrong-lessons-on-aid-and-corruption-20200319/

Major reforms under way in PNG police force. Bryan Kramer says reform has started with efforts to weed out poor administration and corruption within the police hierarchy in Port Moresby.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018738378/major-reforms-under-way-in-png-police-force

Up to K4.4bn laundered in PNG.  The possible level of money laundering in PNG could be in the range of K1.8 billion and K4.4 billion based on the country’s GDP of nearly K90 billion.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/k44bn-laundered-png-83246

 

SAMOA:

Samoa police charge blogger over alleged bribe.  Police in Samoa have charged a blogger for allegedly attempting to bribe a police officer in order to continue filming a petrol station fire

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/411530/samoa-police-charge-blogger-over-alleged-bribe

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu heads to legislative election; new government likely. This election is the first since 2016, when current Prime Minister Charlot Salwai came to power after a corruption scandal in 2015 forced the resignation of 15 MPs.

https://foreignbrief.com/daily-news/vanuatu-heads-to-legislative-election-new-government-likely/

Coronavirus fears and controversial passport sales: Vanuatu's election explained. In 2015, 14 members of parliament, including the acting prime minister, were found guilty of corruption, putting half the governing party’s MPs behind bars.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-fears-and-controversial-passport-sales-vanuatus-election-explained

 

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

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